The Flywheel

Program for friDAY May 16th

Energy Efficiency and Sunlight

Charlie Geis of TNT
Lighting and Solar visits Rotary to keep us current on the latest energy
efficient lighting options.

MEETING OF May 9th, 2008

Welcome, Invocation, Thought for the Day

Glenn asked for a moment of silence
for those not with us as well as for Peace, Freedom and
Justice.

Henry was absent, so Herb read
us a long quote he attributed to Abraham Lincoln:

“You
cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. You
cannot help small men by tearing down big men. You cannot
help the poor by destroying the rich. You cannot lift
the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer. You cannot
keep out of trouble by spending more than your income.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting
class hatreds. You cannot establish security on borrowed
money. You cannot build character and courage by taking
away a man's initiative and independence. You cannot
help men permanently by doing for them what they could
and should do for themselves.”

However, according
to Wikipedia, it’s actually a statement by William
J. H. Boetcker known as "The Ten Cannots" (1916),
which has been misattributed to Lincoln often since the
1942 publication of a leaflet containing quotes by both
men.

Visiting Rotarians

One from Orinda whose name I didn’t get but who
told an old lawyer joke:
Client: What’s four plus four?
Lawyer: What do you want it to be?
The lawyers in attendance didn’t see what was funny
about it.

Rotarians with Guests

Jon brought his son, but he’s
such a regular that we didn’t even bother to acknowledge
him.

Sunshine Report

Bill K was absent.

Announcements

Josh 1.25 (?) passed around the
signup sheet for the Hotel Mac Tequila Dinner on May
20.

David Brown was surprised to learn
he was on the agenda and announced that Richmond Rotary
was giving two $1500 scholarships in association with
West Contra Costa Retired Educators and one $500 scholarship
to our Interact Club.

Pam announced that a Shelter Box
we bought has been used in Mexico.

Pam told a long story about Lilly being
trapped in southern Madagascar, but I couldn’t
follow all of it.

Special Events

Recognitions

Don Lau first addressed the formalities:

John Nicol is celebrating 56 years
of marriage!

Mark Howe was recognized for his
birthday but also insisted on talking about his upcoming
anniversary -- as if he thinks that’s going to
get him out of having to contribute for that event,
later, anyway -- and told us he and Susan are going
to Calistoga for X-rated fun.

David Brown was forced to tell the
story of how his dog, Ziggy, entertained the parade
watchers at Cinco de Mayo on Saturday by pooping on
the street. (Our poor town really needs to upgrade
its entertainment options.)

Happy and Sad Dollars

George was happy for a large sandwich
in New York.

Kerrie forgot, last week in her
Who Am I, to tell us about her black belt, but Jim
Young somehow found out and mentioned it in
the Flywheel, so Kerrie wanted to demonstrate on Jim,
who, fortunately for him, wasn’t there. It
would have made a great fund-raiser, though.

Rich Brandes was happy to be back
after missing many meetings, but he’s living
and working in Mendocino, now.

Josh 1.0 was happy that he and his
wife completed a half marathon last weekend.

Alan enjoyed the Cinco de Mayo parade
and festival, and he announced the Point Richmond Stroll
on May 15.

Glenn was happy that two of his
agents were attending Executive Protection School.

Herb was sad that he wouldn’t
be able to bid on a stay at the Brandes condo in Mendocino
at the next auction.

Tom thanked Rafael Madrigal, in
absentia, for the Cinco de Mayo event.

Mark Howe told a long sailing story
the point of which seemed to be that Pam or EJ
got seasick on his boat last weekend.

Jon was happy our treasurer is honest.

Raffle Results

Don Lau drew the orange ball.

THE PROGRAM

Building a stronger workforce

Linda Chandler, a Strategic Planner for the Contra Costa
County Workforce Investment Board, told us about Federally-funded
training programs for adults.

-Your Rotating Editor, Josh Genser (who reminds
us that brevity is the soul of brevity).

Upcoming Programs

May 23
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) as an option for health
care planning.

May 30
Making Poor Nations Rich: Entrepreneurship and the
Process of Economic Development

June 6
“Reclaiming Honor in Jordan: A National Public Opinion
Survey on Honor Killings”.

Have a suggestion for a speaker? Please pass along
the name and contact information to Jim Young.

Writers Wanted

Got a way with words?

At least until the New Yorker magazine contacts you,
consider becoming a Flywheel editor. Talk to Jim Young
for details.